California Man Pleads No Contest to Firing at Teenagers After Prank

A California man faces up to three years in prison after firing a handgun at a group of teenagers who had targeted his home with eggs and oil, prosecutors said Wednesday. Steven Miceli pleaded no contest to felony assault with a firearm and possession of an AR-15 rifle, the San Mateo County District Attorney told SFGate.

The charges stem from an incident on May 25, 2025, that followed a dispute involving Miceli’s daughter and her classmates. The conflict began on May 23 when three students from Hillsdale High School poured oil on the porch of Miceli’s residence on the 1000 block of Annapolis Drive.

The teens targeted the house because a classmate they disliked lived there, according to the chief deputy district attorney. Two days later, the same group, aged 16 and 17, returned to the property and threw raw eggs at the house. As the teenagers attempted to drive away in an SUV, Miceli stood outside with a handgun and fired two shots at the vehicle.

One of the rounds struck the passenger-side quarter window. Miceli told responding officers that his daughter had been the victim of constant bullying at the high school and expressed frustration over having to clean oil off his porch. He said his intent was to shoot the tires of the SUV and that he later disposed of the handgun in Waterdog Lake.

In a later investigation, police executed a search warrant at Miceli’s home and recovered an illegal automatic rifle. Miceli does not have a significant record but is facing a potential jail sentence.

The chief deputy district attorney described the situation as highly dangerous and said officials were relieved no one got hurt. The district attorney cautioned that such actions could lead to volatile outcomes and that pranks could put teens in bad situations.

The three teenagers involved will not face charges. Miceli remains in custody on a $25,000 bond. His sentencing is scheduled for August 10.